Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down

THUMBS UP: There is no happier day in the life of a child than the last day of school. That day has arrived for almost all area students (a few schools students have a few more days to go, but hang in there kids, it’s coming). A long summer of playing ball, fishing, biking, and just hanging around doing nothing lies ahead.

We’re sure a lot of kids will take advantage of the library during the summer. Recreational reading is fun, even if it’s not raining. (And we won’t make a big deal out of how mentally stimulating it is. We know kids don’t want to think about thinking right now.) The New Ulm Public Library’s Summer Reading Program begins with registration on June 3. Check it out!

Spring tourney time

THUMBS UP: It’s been a short spring sports season, stymied by the weather, but it’s warming up a bit for the spring sports tournaments.

We wish the best of luck to our area athletes, and may good weather favor us all as they compete.

Oklahoma disaster

SIDEWAYS THUMB: The tornado that struck Moore, Okla. this week was terrible storm, made worse when it hit a densely populated area. It has been hard to watch the scenes of devatstation, especially around the elementary schools that were struck by the F-5 twister. It is amazin that the death toll of 24 was no higher.

Of course, Minnesota is not immune to dangerous tornados and thunderstorms. It was only 15 years ago that a major tornado storm system tore through Brown and Nicollet counties, striking Comfrey and St. Peter.

We know that generous people in Minnesota are giving donations through the Red Cross to assist those in need in Oklahoma. We should also take a moment or two to make sure we and our families know what to do in case of tornado – preparing emergency supplies and knowing where to go to find shelter.